Thank you, Medicine Hat: MacKenzie
There’s no one moment or memory that specifically stood out to Tyler MacKenzie as he reminisced on his time as a Medicine Hat Tigers. All four years, good and bad, have blended together into a time of his life he’ll never forget.
The Tigers captain was traded Thursday to the Everett Silvertips, one of the four moves made by the local WHL club during the Prospects Draft.
As with all trades, the soonto-be 20-year-old knew before the news was released and after some time to digest and reflect, Mackenzie says he learned to appreciate every moment he had in the orange and black.
“My time was super special, I value every day and every second and I think as I got older, you kind of learn to appreciate the little things a little bit more,” MacKenzie said. “Just coming to the rink every day, even though some days are harder than others, every day is still fun and you do what you love.
“Medicine Hat has been home for the last four years.
It’s never easy to leave, but I do as a better person and better player, I created tons of memories and met a bunch of new people and I’ll cherish those invaluable relationships with for years to come.”
MacKenzie debuted in the 2020-21 WHL bubble season, totalling 197 games with 39 goals and 115 points across five seasons. He appeared in nine playoff games with a goal and four points.
He was part of the 11-win season and the hardships that brought, and led the way as they worked themselves into two straight playoff berths. MacKenzie was an assistant captain in the 2022-23 season and was named the 40th captain in franchise history ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The growth of the Tigers during his tenure and his own personal growth, from a bottom-six centre to playing top-line minutes and taking on the captain’s role is something MacKenzie says he will always remember and take with him forever.
“What we were able to do was really special and not something a lot of people go through,” MacKenzie said. “An 11-win year is never fun for anyone especially when you’re young in junior but I think those hardships created who I am today and those other guys, too.
“I owe a lot of stuff to everyone else, becoming captain and getting to the playoffs, that’s a whole army of people doing that and just be able to accomplish those things so far in my junior career, is super special.”
Those emotions and thankfulness for what others had provided him while in Medicine Hat were why MacKenzie penned together a thank-you letter to Tigers fans on social media Friday. He offered thanks to all who helped him along the way from the Tigers’ organization, his billet family, his teammates and the fans.
It was a gesture of thanks, MacKenzie says, but also a way for him to say, ‘see you again,’ instead of just goodbye.
“With it being the offseason, you don’t really get to show your appreciation towards people, (Medicine Hat) was home for four years, I grew up from 16 years old all the way to now 20, I grew up through there,” MacKenzie said. “You enjoy a lot of moments and it’s just special to know how big of a role in the community it was and it was super, super special my time. So I thought I would share the thoughts and let everyone know how appreciative I am of it.”
He’s looking forward to the opportunity he has in Everett and finishing out his WHL career with the Silvertips. MacKenzie’s spoken with former Tigers and recent WHL graduate Teague Patton who he says told him it was a special place to play.
“The new opportunity is super exciting, I’m really excited to get down there and it’s a sweet place to go, it’s a team that values working hard and playing the right way, and their core values down there sound good,” MacKenzie said. “I’m super excited, I think it’s a special opportunity and I can’t wait to get down to it.”
The Tigers will make the trip through the U.S. division this season and while the date is yet to be decided, it’s already circled on MacKenzie’s calendar in his mind.
“It’s game on when that one comes around.”